Seeing Redd: The Looking Glass Wars, Book Two

By Frank Beddor

Wonderland finally seems as if it’s getting back to normal. Queen Alyss is back on the throne, and reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Dodge. But the fight for Wonderland is far from over. King Arch, in nearby Boarderland, is conniving to overthrow everything for which Alyss and her friends have fought so hard. Even worse, King Arch has found an ally in the recently returned Redd, who has been biding her time and gathering new and evil assassins in the Catacombs of Paris. With enemies circling and danger looming, someone close to Alyss lets her down—and threatens the future of Wonderland forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Release date: Aug 21, 2007
• ISBN: 9781101200681

Book preview

PROLOGUE

She should have been disoriented, her image sneering back at her from the countless dust-filmed looking glasses that surrounded her, but she was too consumed with the quest that had brought her to this maze whose time had passed, its purpose unfulfilled.

I’ve come! she yelled, the words ricocheting off the cloudy looking glasses without cease or loss of volume. The noise pained Redd’s ears, but what did she care? She would endure anything. She had made it this far. She would not leave until she had found what she’d come for.

In every direction, mirrored corridors branched off into the dusky reaches of the maze. She tried to locate the scepter in her imagination’s eye, but her powers were apparently useless. She would have to find it the old-fashioned way, by systematically walking every corridor, seeking the scepter as might a blind, rudderless fool.

Not much of a maze, are you? she muttered, because she discovered that she could pass from one corridor to another merely by walking through the looking glass walls. Hers was a phantom maze, the ghostly residue of what it had once been. A sudden, hissing sound at her back.

She spun, ready for anything. The dust of a looking glass had lifted and formed into the figure of a female: the teenage girl she used to be, before she had allowed corruption to gnarl and ravage her features, before her transformative passage through the Heart Crystal: bratty, intractable and vindictive Rose Heart.

How dare you show your face, when I’m smarter and more imaginative than you, the dust-figure whispered, then faded into nothing.

Redd continued on, and half-formed images flitted past the periphery of her vision, apparitions pointing and ogling in disbelief that the maze’s intended had arrived so long after she’d been expected. Whenever she turned to look directly at them, they shifted and remained at the edge of her sight.

Only one image let itself be seen, and it gave Redd pause: that of her slinking into her mother’s bedroom, so soon after being removed from succession to the throne, to place the fatal mushroom on Queen Theodora’s tongue. She felt no remorse—her mother had deserved an untimely end—but that night had been the last time she’d employed a lethal mushroom in her nasty doings.

The scepter lay on the floor up ahead as if it were nothing, a useless stick someone had dropped in her hurry to leave. No doubt it had once been vibrant with color, a gleaming, crystalline staff with elaborate, gem-encrusted filigree awaiting the first touch of its intended’s hands. But now, the heart at its top was shriveled and gray. What gems still remained had turned black. The filigree was rusted and, in parts, had completely flaked off. But had it been otherwise, had she found a scepter as glorious and pulsating as Alyss Heart’s, she would have thought it a trick, a setup. The scepter at her feet, so elaborate in its decay—this was beauty. Yet here it lay, abandoned, discarded, just as she had been by her family.

And they had the impudence to blame me! she yelled.

Again, her words reverberated until they became noise.

It’s your own fault, Rose, Theodora had said. "I cannot allow you to become queen. You refuse to listen to anyone’s counsel but your own, and you insist on being so undisciplined, disregarding the most basic principles of White Imagination."

Perhaps I have discipline in other things! she had spat.

"That’s what I’m afraid of. You’ve already scared a number of important Wonderlanders."

Redd had made it her life’s work to scare so-called important Wonderlanders. She had scared a great many of them during her all-too-brief time on the throne. But whatever fears she had instilled, whatever terrors inflicted, were nothing compared to what she would accomplish now that she had navigated her own Looking Glass Maze.

Her fingers closed around the scepter, giving her access to the full potential of her imaginative powers. She was the strongest Heart alive. She would recapture the Heart Crystal, and no one, not even prissy Alyss Heart, would be able to wrench it away from her. Ever.

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

WONDERLAND’S FINEST architects had designed it and overseen its fabrication. The most skilled glaziers, carpenters, masons, and gemologists had worked tirelessly to ensure that even its smallest details were built according to plan: Heart Palace, imagined anew on the site of the former palace, which had stood for generations until being cruelly decimated by Redd.

The artisans labored with such great effort in tribute to you, Alyss, said Bibwit Harte as he escorted the queen and her personal bodyguard, Homburg Molly, through the palace for the first time.

The tips of Bibwit’s oversized ears crimped forward. The blue-green veins beneath the translucent skin of his bald head seemed to swell. He was amused by something.

I need no tribute, Alyss said.

Bibwit’s eyebrows leaped up and his eyes widened in pleasure.

So that was it. He had just wanted to hear her say it aloud. Why he never tired of hearing her expressions of selflessness, Alyss couldn’t understand. It was as if he thought they proved the kind of queen she was and always would be. But if he only knew, I am far from selfless.

You might not need a tribute, my dear Alyss, Bibwit went on, but the citizenry does, and those responsible for this magnificent palace—

Hmmph! Molly said, shrugging open her Millinery backpack, its various blades and corkscrews snapping to the ready.

—have vowed that it should serve as a monument to White Imagination, a declaration of your ascendancy over the—how shall we say?—more sooty machinations of Black Imagination. The palace is an emblem of hope that you will—

Yenh! Molly grunted, retracting the weapons of her backpack with a shrug.

—return our nation to the peace and contentment of your great-grandmother’s reign, when it is supposed the queendom had never heard of dissension. Here we have the ancestral chamber.

Bibwit guided Alyss and her bodyguard into a room whose vaulted, bejeweled ceiling twinkled purple and gold. In marbled crystal frames around the room hung screens of Alyss’ parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents—the generations of Hearts who had ruled in the service of White Imagination.

Hyah!

Molly, please, Alyss said.

Sorry. Molly shrugged a last time, the knives of her backpack folding shut.

The Millinery, Wonderland’s elite security force, had been officially re-established, and the girl had taken to dressing in the uniform of its former leader, Hatter Madigan: the long coat that flared out behind her like a cape when she ran; the deadly belt that, with a punch of its buckle, sprouted a series of sabers along its surface; the bracelets that could snap open and become propeller blades on the outward side of her wrists; the backpack.

I haven’t seen this much optimism since I was a young albino graduating from the Tutor Corps, Bibwit sighed as they left the ancestral chamber and continued down the passage. But it’s best to tell you now, Alyss, that Queen Issa’s reign was not as peaceful as Wonderlanders believe. There will always be those who unfavorably compare the present with a past they suppose happier than it was, not having lived through it, as I have.

I can’t imagine you as young, Bibwit, Alyss said.

He was being quite the chatterbox today. She would have thought her tutor had attended too many royal festivities to get excited by them any longer. But didn’t she know better? It wasn’t the gala itself that had raised his spirits so much as it was her first official function as Wonderland’s queen.

This is one of the libraries, Bibwit said, showing them into a paneled room crowded with books, scrolls, reading crystals.

Only three lunar cycles had passed since Redd’s defeat and yet the pressures of Alyss’ position were wearing on her. She didn’t want to let anyone down, least of all Bibwit. He was the closest thing she had to a father since her aunt Redd had murdered her parents.

Don’t you agree, Alyss? he asked, interrupting her thoughts.

About what?

I was just telling young Molly—

I’m not young, Molly blurted.

The tutor paused. In the short time since Redd’s defeat, the girl had grown at least a gwormmy-length and the cute slope of her nose had straightened somewhat, as if in anticipation of the handsome woman she would soon be. But her unlined face, her pillowy cheeks, and her strong, clear eyes turned defiantly upon him—she was nothing if not a child.

No, Bibwit said. After what we’ve been through, I don’t suppose any of us could be called young, although as Alyss has kindly pointed out, it’s unlikely anyone would have dared to think me so. My apologies, Molly. But I was saying that although the principles of White Imagination do not concern themselves with the luxuries so plentiful in the new palace, its opulence might be said to represent a time when beauty could exist in Wonderland unmolested by greed or other ill-intent.

Hard to believe this is where I’m to live.

The crystal-shimmering spires and agate-mosaic artworks, floors inlaid with jasper and pearl, walls of quartz and stone and glittering mortar: It was all so unfamiliar and much grander than the former palace.

Alyss might not care overly much for such things, Bibwit was saying as they again continued down the passage, but on occasion a queen must follow instead of lead. The wisdom comes in knowing when to do so and, in this instance, Alyss has wisely chosen to follow the will of the people. Bibwit’s ears twitched. We have company.

Alyss soon heard footsteps approaching. General Doppelgänger appeared at the end of the hall, his military boots clicking on the polished floor. He bowed repeatedly and began talking before he reached her.

My queen, three decks of card soldiers have been dispatched to guard the perimeter of the grounds. The white knight and his chessmen will be stationed inside the palace and its gardens. They have promised to be as inconspicuous as they can, so as not to worry your guests, but—

Alyss laughed. "They are chessmen, General; they will always be a trifle conspicuous."

That’s so, that’s so. The general ran a fretful hand through his hair and split into the twin figures of Doppel and Gänger.

We urge you to reconsider, said General Doppel.

It’s a risk to have invited so many to the palace all at once, agreed General Gänger.

We don’t wish to cause needless alarm—

—but we’ll be vulnerable to disruptions from any enemies we still have among the populace.

To say nothing of the risk to you personally.

Queen Alyss can take care of herself, said Homburg Molly. And besides, she has me.

In one swift motion, Molly took the homburg from her head, snapped it into a flat, knife-edged disk, and sent it zinging down the hall and back. She caught it, with a flick of the wrist returned it to its innocent homburg shape, and plunked it on top of her head.

Always wanting to prove her worth even though she’s proved it tenfold in battles.

Homburg Molly was still too inexperienced to have mastered the Millinery ethic of keeping her emotions hidden, an ethic Hatter Madigan had epitomized to perfection.

Your diligence and concern are appreciated, as always, Alyss told the generals, "but the memorial is for all of Wonderland. And to bring out the best in Wonderlanders, I must assume the best of them."

You’re starting to sound like Bibwit! Doppel and Gänger moaned at once, and turned to leave.

I’ll walk with you, Generals, the tutor said. I must powder my head and poof out my scholarly robes for the party and so will take my leave of the queen.

Once Bibwit and the generals had gone, Molly said, "I don’t get it. He’s an albino. Why does he put white powder on his head?"

Alyss smiled. When we’re as clever and educated as Bibwit, I’m sure we’ll know the answer, Molly. But I think it’s time we joined the guests.

The royal garden, a courtyard at the center of palace grounds, was crowded with happy Wonderlanders, their ticklish eruptions of laughter competing with the singing of the sunflowers planted alongside the war memorial.

Alyss had made only one request of the palace architects: that at the grave site of Sir Justice Anders, former head of the palace guard and Dodge Anders’ father, they create a memorial honoring all who had lost their lives during Redd’s thirteen-year reign—royals, civilians, card soldiers, chessmen, palace guardsmen, and members of the Millinery. The bodies of Queen Genevieve and King Nolan hadn’t been recovered, of course, but Bibwit had surprised Alyss with two of their most intimate keepsakes: a toy spirit-dane invented by her father, and one of her mother’s charm bracelets, both of which he’d kept tucked deep within his robes throughout Redd’s tyranny. These had been enough for the Hereafter Seeds to do their work. Just as a bouquet forming the likeness of Sir Justice watched over his grave, bouquets of camellias, gardenias and lilies resembling Wonderland’s former king and queen now kept vigil over theirs. On either side of the graves rose a simple stone etched with the names of those known to have lost their lives in battles against Redd. Behind all: an obelisk of emerald green, in recognition of those who had gone missing during Redd’s occupation and were now, to their families’ grief, presumed dead.

"I’ve never seen anything like this, Molly said, looking around at the variety of people and creatures in the courtyard. You’ve got street vendors mingling with suit families as if no one’s blood is purer than another’s."

Alyss knew this to be a constant theme with Homburg Molly. Half civilian, half Milliner, the girl was particularly sensitive to matters of race and class.

I don’t know, Molly. Judging by the look on Lady Diamond’s face, I’d say you overestimated things a bit. Alyss called out to the ranking lady as the walrus-butler passed by with a tray of wondercrumpets: Have a wondercrumpet, Lady Diamond?

Ah. A wondercrumpet. Yes, said the lady, taking one but holding it far from her mouth with no apparent intention of bringing it closer. "You do know how to throw a party, Queen Alyss."

You think so? I wouldn’t have supposed you enjoyed brushing against so many Wonderlanders of lesser rank.

I don’t know what you mean, the Lady of Diamonds huffed.

Alyss didn’t trust the suit families, but there had been no proof of their conspiring with Redd, either before or after her overthrow of Queen Genevieve. Nor had there been any proof of their engaging in outlawed activities that could have secured a conviction in Wondertropolis’ courts. As much as Alyss would have liked the suit families gone, there was politics to consider. Redd had kept them around after her coup for similar reasons: their relationships with business leaders, government officials, and the arbiters who decided the guilt or innocence of the ill-fated brought before them in the name of jurisprudence. Only Jack of Diamonds had been prosecuted, Bibwit’s and the walrus-butler’s evidence against him too overwhelming to ignore; found guilty of treason and racketeering, he’d been punished accordingly.

But why poison my brain with thoughts of Jack of Diamonds?

Why, indeed, when Dodge Anders had caught her eye from across the courtyard? It was the first time she was seeing him in his uniform as head of the palace guard. She’d almost forgotten how handsome he could be when dressed in formal attire.

As if it were possible to forget.

She had always thought his was a rough-hewn handsomeness, the four parallel scars on his cheek adding to his looks rather than diminishing them. She’d been thrilled when he requested his father’s former post, and interpreted it as meaning that he would abide by a guardsman’s code instead of avenging Sir Justice’s death. She only hoped that he didn’t become too much like the Dodge of her youth, who had shown an almost religious devotion to propriety, a guardsman’s place in relation to the queen, because now that there was no threat of her having to marry Jack of Diamonds…

She glanced away, afraid she would reveal too much of herself in her eyes.

Molly, there are enough guards and chessmen here to protect a flock of queens. I want you to go off and enjoy yourself.

"But I am enjoying myself."

It was Molly’s job to shadow her everywhere, Alyss knew. But it could be so bothersome. How was she supposed to have any time alone with Dodge, who was that moment making his way toward her though she pretended not to notice?

"Molly, I order you to enjoy yourself somewhere else."

Fine, the girl pouted, and stomped off.

Alyss kept her eyes to the ground. She tried to think of something clever to say to Dodge, but her mind filled with the sort of things she might murmur to any old stranger—how are you, lovely weather we’re enjoying, at least we have our health. She felt him standing next to her. Her quickened pulse loud in her ears, she looked up and—

It was only Bibwit, with official pardons to sign.

Must I, Bibwit, even during the party?

She watched Dodge veer off to confer with one of his guardsmen; he would never interrupt her when engaged in the nation’s business.

I’m sorry you find it inconvenient, Alyss. But these are Wonderlanders who have been punished by Redd’s regime for committing no crimes.

He was chastising her, in his gentle way. Why should those who have innocently suffered be made to suffer another moment? Wonderlanders imprisoned during Redd’s reign were being interviewed, their cases reviewed to determine if they were legitimate criminals or merely people who had fallen afoul of Redd’s temper. For the latter, proper legal channels had to be employed, pardons issued and signed.

It seems that being a queen involves nothing but paperwork, Alyss sighed, scratching her name first on one pardon, then another.

Mastering the combat aspects of a warrior queen is the easy part, said Bibwit. The administrative responsibilities of ruling from day to day, of contending with the bureaucratic procedures that keep Wonderland society functioning—these are more subtle to master and therefore more difficult.

The walrus-butler waddled up as Alyss was signing the last of the pardons. Queen Alyss, King Arch of Boarderland is here.

Bibwit’s ears stood erect in surprise.

He must have come to wish me well, Alyss said, not quite believing it herself. Please show him into the garden, walrus.

Yes, but…yes, I tried, Queen Alyss. But he says he prefers to visit with you in a more masculine environment.

"And where would that be?"

In the briefing room.

She saw the king in her imagination’s eye, in the company of his intel ministers and bodyguards, a disdainful expression on his face. She flicked a look toward Dodge. He shrugged in good-natured understanding: He would have to wait.

I’ll attend you, Alyss, Bibwit said.

Wonderland’s queen shook her head. No. It’s more important that you end the suffering of the falsely imprisoned as soon as possible. Deliver the pardons to the arbiters, as you’d intended. And please arrange for me to inspect the conditions at the mines. The reports I’ve heard are disturbing.

The tutor appeared uncertain.

Don’t worry, Bibwit. Arch can do nothing to me.

On her way out of the gardens, Alyss passed the Lord and Lady of Diamonds, who were talking with Homburg Molly. The lady suddenly raised her voice as if to make sure Alyss heard what she was saying:

"Jack was forever bending rules to suit his own interest, though we never thought he’d go so far as to conspire with Redd. Of course we had to disown him, our only son and heir, after his treasonous behavior."

But as inexperienced a sovereign as she was, even Alyss knew: In the garden of state, treason was a weed; just when you thought you’d rooted it out for good, it returned more virulent than before.

CHAPTER 2

THE GUARDS were nearly as unforgiving as the mountain the prisoners labored against every day, their hands cut and swollen from smashing at rock with dull handspikes and blunt pickaxes. They had forgotten what it was like for their muscles not to ache; the day-long monotony of hammering reverberated in their bones even after they slogged back to their dormitories to lie on their bunks and wait for sleep, hoping to dream of open fields and bright light, anything but their lives at the Crystal Mines with its windowless housing bunkers and mining tunnels lit sparingly by fire crystals.

They came from all levels of Wonderland society: once-pampered sons of business leaders and ranking families whom Redd had caught exhibiting goodwill to the less fortunate; law-abiding shopkeepers and restaurateurs who had refused to make monthly donations to Her Imperial Viciousness’ accounts; homeless youths Redd had deemed useless, as they had shown no tendency to violence. But among them: one actually deserving of punishment whose backside was, despite his having lost weight since his arrival, still more rotund than the rest of him.

Jack of Diamonds’ time at the mines hadn’t been as woeful as it might have been, since he was adept at pocketing small fragments of crystal, which he used to bribe guards for an extra bowl of infla-rice or for less strenuous work assignments. Yet physical labor was physical labor and, as Jack often told anyone who would listen, the stuff was beneath him. As for the infla-rice, it was supposed to expand in his stomach and make him feel full, but even two bowls’ worth left him hungry, and its blandness caused him to mourn all the more the loss of the savories and feasts he had once enjoyed as a free, high-ranking denizen.

Sitting on the edge of his bunk, grubby and wigless, he bragged to his dorm mates, as he did every night, of his former life.

I had countless footmen and servants. I wore clothes made of only the most exclusive materials, such as gwynook skin and caterpillar whiskers. And as to wigs, oh ho, I could praise them for an entire lunar cycle and still not relate a tenth of their beauty. I had the finest wigs the queendom has ever known!

This occasioned much confused murmuring among his listeners. Jack of Diamonds had plenty of hair. Why

Reviews for Seeing Redd

[lexilewords · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in Beddor's Looking Glass Wars trilogy picks up fairly closely to the end of the first book. 3 lunar cycles (I'm guessing this means months) later and Queen Alyss is doing her best to reassure the people that White Imagination is once again dominate.

There is a little bit of a mislead throughout the book as well, in who's actually the source of evil and motives. King Arch, briefly mentioned and shown in the first book, is a central character this time around (with all his sexist views) and Jack of Diamonds, unfortunately, makes a return appearance. His parents aren't the brightest ever. Redd is more cunning then in the first book, using subterfuge as a way to win out. I admired her, despite her evilness, because she didn't just whine about what she lost (like Jack) or spout impossible ideas (like Arch), but had a solid plan which would have worked.

Hatter Madigan, this poor guy, is put through the ringer. He did take his leave, as he said he would at the end of Book 1, and didn't plan on coming back. We learn more about the civilian he loved, Weaver and what secrets she carried. Which all relates back to Molly (I'm sure you can guess how) and has a surprising turn of events. Doesn't last long however. Molly is also put through the ringer--unsure of herself, prideful of her abilities but shamed by her birth, young and basically self-trained, Arch takes advantage of that weakness.

In the end I enjoyed this book moreso then the first. I enjoyed learning more about the other lands surrounding Wonderland (even if Borderland is...what it is) and despite the ending leaving itself very open to a sequel, I can't be too upset over that. The conflicts of THIS book were resolved and the ending opened the door to a new conflict.

[dairyqueen84 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've listened to this and the first one, The Looking Glass Wars and it is such a delight to hear the narrator and all the different voices. He is brilliant! (And the writing is fantastic1)Funny, exciting, romantic, it has it all.

[oxlabyrinthxo-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A little less awesome than the first but I still liked it.

[spazzydragon13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the first book, The Looking Glass Wars, and having felt that way, I immediately jumped into this book. No joke. I closed The Looking Glass Wars, went to my bookshelf, and opened up Seeing Redd. I wish I could do the same for the third one, Arch Enemy, but I don't own it. Sad face.

Seeing Redd was really good, but it wasn't quite as spectacular as The Looking Glass Wars. The first book had just the perfect mixture of happiness, loss, war, love (well, maybe not enough of that), triumph, and suspense. This book, however, consisted mostly of stressful events, tense relationships, and war. Some of the moments were particularly dry, and those moments all consisted of King Arch. However, the overall book was really good. It had such a big ending to make me want to read Arch Enemy.

[spoilers!]
Now, romance wise. With the last book, I was severely disappointed in the lack of romance between Dodge and Alyss. In the end, though, it showed promise of a better romance relationship for the second book. This promise failed in a sort of way. Yes, there was definitely an emphasis on romance. However, was very poorly executed. The first scene was nice. I'll give Beddor credit there. The kisses on Dodge's scars and the sweet feeling in the air...it was very nice. But then Dodge and Alyss had their first REAL kiss and it was so understated that I nearly missed it. I'm so frustrated by this! They were supposed to be childhood sweethearts, but there was no emotion from Alyss! Just "I could report you for that." What was that all about? Beddor wrote nothing for emotion, or feelings. It was just the action, like a movie script. Then, the next thing I know...they're engaged! People were congratulating Alyss, and sure she didn't know what they meant at first, but what she found out why they were saying it...she acted like it was normal. During that scene I flipped back many times to re-read everything between Alyss and Dodge, thinking I missed something. I didn't. So what happened there? No proposal, no sweetheart romance....nothing. I can't help but feel cheated on this aspect of the story.
[/spoilers!]

Anyway...Redd wise. She was just as vicious as ever, if not more. During the whole time she was advancing toward Wondertropolis, I could feel the impending doom getting closer and closer. It was almost suffocating. Redd and her minions were represented very well through out the book.

As for the whole Hatter/Molly/Weaver plot..... Oh. My. Gosh. So good! And I was completely shocked on how it turned out! I feel so sad for Hatter. He can never win.

All in all, a really good sequel but not the best. The Looking Glass Wars outshines it, but not by much. I'm still a huge fan of this series, and I definitely recommend going to the website to see all the goodies on these books. I'd also definitely recommend these books to anyone!

[charitybradford-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm having a harder time enjoying this one. Maybe because I'm not trapped in a car for 7 hours? I still enjoy the concept, so maybe it's just me that's not in the mood?

[bookwormconfidential · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book/trilogy offers a different version of Alice, and other aspects from the story of "Alice in Wonderland". This version is a bit darker (dut to the themes of war and death), but also has a smiliar tone to that of "Alice in Wonderland"; this book also contains elements of fantsay and whimsy.

The book is divided into three parts: Part One deals with the Alyss adjusting to her new role, Part Two deals with the new (or old?) threat to Wonderland, and Part Three deals with most (but not all) of the fighting of the story.

The characters included in this story are somtimes similar to the ones in "Alice in Wonderland", for example Alyss Heart (Alice), Hatter Madigan (The Mad Hatter), and Redd Heart (The Queen of Hearts), and other characters share less similiarites.

The story itself is very different from "Alice in Wonderland". In this book, Alyss engages in battle, as well as other well known Wonderlanders (ex. Hatter Madigan).

I wasn't sure if this book would have a good story because it is difficlut to wrtie a new story that is based on another story. I think that the author did a good job though because I sensed that he really enjoyed writing and creating this new story of Alice. There were enough similarities with "Alice in Wonderland" to make the book appealing to any reader who likes that book, and there were enough differences to make the reader enjoy a new version of Alice.

[bakabaka84 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Second book in the Looking Glass Wars suffers from the same problems as the first book. There is some character development for Hatter and King Arch but only slightly. I found the story slightly more interesting but being this is the middle book of the trilogy I will, for better or worse have to find out what happens in book 3. Overall another so-so outing in wonderland.

[deathsmistress · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book in the Looking Glass Wars series.

Once again we're back in Wonderland with Alyss now Queen.

Redd is on Earth, brought into the world by a painter. She is plotting, again, to rid herself of Alyss. Shes gaining forces on Earth, while in Wonderland, King Arch is gathering his forces to take over.

I really loved this book. I like ll of the characters, even the annoying caterpillars. This is a really imaginative story and I cant wait to get my hands on the next book.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I never really cared for Alice In Wonderland, but this has me wanting to go back and re-read it. It's a really great series.

[tiltedearth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I do love the Alice in Wonderland books, and the twist on the original idea by Lewis Carol is what drew me to this series in the first place. The mathematical genius of Carol is absent from these books.

This book is an interesting continuation of the looking glass wars, started in the first book of the series. The way the author has re-imagined Lewis Carol's [Alice in Wonderland] is fantastic and very creative. He leaves enough of the nonsense of Wonderland in, without destroying a wonderful world. I really enjoy the twists and turns in the characters and the the world. The story-line is entertaining, but perhaps could have been finished in this second book.

My favorite characters are Hatter Madigan and Homburg Molly. I'm not sure that I would continue reading the series if it weren't for these delightful and exciting characters. I love the idea of the Milinary and the use of the Hatter's hat as a weapon.

[sunnysd_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alyss and her supporters may have banished Redd to the depths of the crystal, but the peace in Wonderland is far from easy. When Homburg Molly goes missing and hoards of deadly Glass Eyes attack, suspicion falls first on the absent Redd, but all is not as it first appears....

The continuation of Looking Glass War ups the ante and keeps the suspense level high.

[bryndahlquis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was honestly very disappointed. I loved The Looking Glass Wars so much, and I was excited to read Seeing Redd...but it wasn't all that great. None of the villains were very interesting, Hatter Madigan wasn't in as much of it as I hoped, and it just felt...off. The ending wasn't too bad, though, and I will read the third book. It just feels like a pretty big letdown right now, though.

[klarusu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a satisfying continuation of the series started with The Looking Glass Wars but much like the first book, it lacked a certain something. I must declare that I have no particular passion for the original Alice stories, just a residual fondness formed from the memories of childhood that they inspire, so a 'retelling' of the stories is not something that offends me in any way. However, where I found the first book in the series a fun and innovative diversion into a modern-day view of Alice's world, this second book doesn't have the novely of the first instalment and the characters and storyline aren't strong enough to convince you that you're not just reading more of the same. It's not a bad book (although the writing is a bit ham-fisted on an occasion or several) but neither is it anything special.

[sszkutak_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

So...I was not too sure about the first book of this series. I like the idea and concept however the writing was a little bad in some ways and was a bit off-putting. I read Seeing Redd in an attempt to pursue the storyline more than my enjoyment of the first book.

I think Beddor got a little in over his head with this one. The plot is as follows:
After the end of the first book, Redd has jumped into the Crystal Heart, so we aren't sure if she is dead or alive and plotting, meanwhile Arch the king of lands outside of Wonderland is plotting to take over Alyss' queendom by his own means.

Where I think that this book went nuts was that the book really doesn't have an ending, nothing gets resolved, you are left on a complete and total cliff when it comes to the overall plot line...meaning you HAVE to read the 3rd book.

At this point I have no intention of reading the next one, the writing in book 2 much like book 1 was pretty bad, and seemed a little word vomit-y (everything that came to mind was immediately written and then left be). While I am interested in the plot ending and to see if Alyss lives happily ever after, I am not willing to take up any more of my time at the moment.

[lizzybeans11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found the writing to again be a little disjointing, but the story was no less likeable. This parallel Wonderland is a great take on a classic story with more grown-up themes for an older audience. The villains are more wicked, the heroes are tougher, and there is more general chaos that little Alice (Alyse) must cope with.

[pghdragonman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Seeing Redd is the second installment in Frank Beddor’s retelling of the Alice in Wonderland story. The main problem is the story suffers from what may be termed the “On Ramp Effect”: the story's twists are no longer as original as the first time you encountered them, so the story seems a little lackluster by comparison. The style and execution is still quite good, so Seeing Redd does not suffer too much.

In this installment, the storyline takes some decidedly dark turns as Redd becomes the truly evil red queen. Redd openly aligns herself with a necromancer in an effort to raise her army to defeat Alyss (Alice for the uninitiated) and dethrone her as Queen. The story also includes some description of a character being tortured and killed, but it is not overly graphic and is much milder than the last Christopher Paolini offering I read.

Yes, I am an adult, but I am enjoying the story enough to really want to see this one through to the end. Despite my opening comment, I will still rate this with four stars for enjoyment. If you think classic fantasy stories should not be changed, avoid this series. If you enjoyed the first installment, keep reading as it holds up quite well.

[weeksj10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Some cool ideas, the first one was better but still not great. All I can say is that I won't be seeking out the 3rd book anytime soon.

[teharhynn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one wasn't as good as the first one, but there were still some great ideas. Frank Beddor is very original and I love the way that he's recreated wonderland.

[dbhutch_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book two of The Looking Glass Wars takes Queen Alyss to new worries - and expands on other characters in a great way. Alyss has set about to the rebuilding of Heart Palace and Wondropilis, when her new bodyguard, Molly, suddenly disappears. Hatter Maddigan is off on a personal quest - to try to find a woman he loved named Weaver. He finds a diary, and assuming she is dead, reads/listens to it - only to lean he has a daughter, a halfer - Molly - the Queen's bodyguard. She and Weaver are both being held by King Arch, who is plannign Queen Alyss' demise, before redd returns from her jaunt to earth from the Heart Crystal.
Intrigues and plot twists run rampant thru Bedoors second book, and leaves the reader stunned in the intracacites and details that he had built in the new land of imagination.

[krau0098 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book (out of three) in the Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. I really wanted to love this series. Somehow I found this book even more boring than the first one. These books just focus too much on strategic war than on what makes Wonderland awesome; imagination.

In this book King Arch is plotting to overthrow Wonderland but his plans are interrupted when Redd returns and, once again, causes issues for new Queen of Wonderland, Alyss Heart.

This story was okay. I am a little irked that Alyss only seems to use her Imagination as a weapon, and that she uses it in such limited way. Redd actually seems quite a bit more creative with her Black Imagination. I loved that Beddor tried to expand and give more dimension to the character of the Hatter. Unfortunately it fell short for me; I thought the Hatter's character was actually weakened by the fact that he wandered somewhat aimlessly through his own personal issues.

I guess, just like the first book, the characters seemed more like outlines than actual characters to me. I had trouble reading this book. At points I found it outright boring and skimmed through sections. When the goal of reading a book becomes solely to finish it; I start to say that the book wasn't all that great.

The story was okay, the characters have potential, but the book didn't excite me and I only marginally enjoyed reading it. I am beginning to think that me and Beddor's writing style just don't get along.

This book is not as contained as the first one...it kind of stops in the middle of things. So, I will most likely read the third and final installment, Everqueen, but after that no more Beddor for me.

[tapestry100 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second installment of The Looking Glass Wars, Seeing Redd opens a mear three months after Alyss Heart reclaimed her throne from her mad Aunt Redd, who along with The Cat flung themselves into the Heart Crystal instead of suffering the humiliation of loosing to her neice. But since the Heart Crystal is the spark of Imagination of the universe, Redd and The Cat find their way back to Earth through rather different means than the usual manner for Wonderlanders, the Pool of Tears.

Finding herself on Earth, Redd discovers a number of Wonderlanders who have taken refuge there, and decides to build her army on Earth, hidden from Alyss, and plans her revenge. Meanwhile back in Wonderland, King Arch, the monarch of Boarderland, is planning his own assault on Wondertropolis, using any means of subterfuge that he finds useful at the moment. Eventually, Redd makes her way back to Wonderland, and finding that she and Arch have similar goals, strike up a precarious alliance. However, Arch has plans of his own that even Redd doesn't know of, in the form of his new weapon WILMA.

Beddor continues to keep the pace fast and exciting in Seeing Redd, just like he did in The Looking Glass Wars. While we've left the similarities of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass behind in the last book, he continues to grow his cast of characters carefully, and each new character is just as imaginative as the last. I continue to be thrilled with this series. It's a fresh take on the Alice mythos and I'll be sad to see the series come to a close with the final volume, ArchEnemy.

[tangential1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This second book was very disappointing compared to the first. Definitely had the feel of an afterthought continuation. While the first book flowed very naturally, this one felt very contrived all the way through and the ending was very unsatisfying (yes, I realize it is now supposed to be a trilogy, but the ending was still really boring and didn't really leave any terribly interesting plot lines for the last book).

If you liked the first book, maybe think twice about reading this second one.

[eowyna_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Second book in the Looking Glass Wars trilogy. The first book was charming in its re-imagining of a familiar fantasy place. This book follows King Arch, deposed Queen Redd, and the Cat in their war against Queen Alyss, Hatter Madigan, Dodge Anders and others. This book felt a bit less charming, perhaps because the wonder had worn off. We have more interaction with Victorian-era Earth, and the problems of young love (Alyss and Dodge), governing a kingdom (Alyss), and dealing with the demise of so many friends and family before. The book is fine, but not compelling.

[knielsen83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second in a series that is a very strange, yet cool adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. I can't help but love this series. I love the twist it has on Alyss and Wonderland and all the characters involved. This book delves deeper and involves the start of a full scale war in Wonderland. I can't wait until the last of the trilogy comes out so I can see what will happen next. This book is full of action, good plot, and great characters. It's a series you don't want to miss.

[toxicmasquerade · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I tried to compare this book to 'The Looking Glass Wars', but, I couldn't. The are both great in a different way. Well written and fast paced, with some twists that not even I would think about. I loved the twist with Hatter. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[dreamingreader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor is the second in the Looking Glass Wars series that follows Alyss Heart and her adventures ruling Wonderland.

The book begins where The Looking Glass Wars leaves off as Alyss is now queen of Wonderland and is working to defend her realm against her neighbor King Arch and the dregs of Redd's rule. Throw in a lot of adventure and a little bit of romance and you have quite the compelling read.

I did not enjoy this book as much as its predecessor as I felt that it was almost a "filler" between the first and the upcoming third book. Still, I could hardly put it down once I had begun it. I did feel that some of the imaginative details that made me so enjoy the first book were missing in this one. I also had a difficult time believing the romantic tension between Alyss and Dodge.

Nevertheless, I look forward to the next book of the series.

[stephxsu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The evil Redd Heart has disappeared into the Heart Crystal, and Alyss is now the rightful queen of Wonderland. But there is lots yet to be done: buildings to repair, morale to strengthen, relationships to mend… And Alyss is so busy with politics and using her White Imagination to make sure the queendom is running smoothly that she barely has any time to spend with Dodge, her best-friend-turned-true-love guardsman.

But people are not going to make her life as queen easy. King Arch of the neighboring kingdom Boarderland has some sinister plans up his sleeve. First he kidnaps Homburg Molly, Alyss’ teenage bodyguard; then he messes with the emotions of the best Milliner in all of history, Hatter Madigan, who is suddenly forced to decide between family and duty as he has never had to do before. All the while, Arch is planning the unleashing of a formidable weapon, one that, if properly completed, can wipe out the entire country of Wonderland and all surrounding countries.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Redd is back, more dangerous and vengeful than ever. She is determined to complete her Looking Glass Maze, achieve the full potential of her imaginative powers, and reclaim Wonderland, destroying Alyss in the process. The giant army that converges upon Wonderland at the command of Redd and Arch seem on the path to the obliteration of Alyss’ world as she knows it. Is there anything to be done that can put off the seemingly inevitable end?

SEEING REDD has more sit-and-wait political discourses and emotional chapters than the first book in the trilogy. However, Redd’s villainy will be sure to keep fans attracted to this series. All the characters are wonderfully created, the world flawlessly imagined and detailed. This is a tale of high fantasy that you won’t want to miss.

[monica71_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had a little bit of a hard time getting into it but once I did it was pretty good. I wish the characters had more substance. maybe in book three!

[booksandbosox · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good follow-up to The Looking Glass Wars. I still find some characters a bit too unbelievable, but I enjoy the story and the action is interesting and exciting. I wish that Alyss and Dodge's romance played a bit of a bigger part because I find the interchange between them fascinating. I very much look forward to the next book in the series.

[qarae · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Second in the Looking Glass Wars trilogy, we find out where Redd has been sent....Earth. Our Earth. And she's not very happy about it. Sequels are usually difficult and this one is no different. Not as exciting and new as The Looking Glass Wars, but still fun.